Table



June 5, 1934. J BENCHOFF 1,961,733

TABLE Filed Jan. 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l a" I F a 3mm Q. cf 2192207202 2.

June 5, 1934. A, J BENCHOFF 1,961,733

TABLE Filed Jan. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 20 Z gig 7 A;

6- flaa d g-9 6 25 Z Jjenchoff 204/ Q 1 254 ,UES:

Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT ,oFFicE:

8 Claims.

lhis invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a table, preferably of the folding type and of the kind usually employed in the playing of the game of bridge, card games or other games, the gist of the invention residing in the construction of the table top wherein a fabric or other sheet of material is removably secured to the table top permitting changing of the fabric or sheet coverings having different designs or having designs characteristic of the game being played.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table top construction of the foregoing character wherein the interchangeable fabric or sheet table top coverings may be inexpensively purchased as remnants and cut to shape without any material degree of accuracy, but be secured in a fully stretched and taut condition over the table top with the ragged or cut edge of the cloth or sheet hidden from view when the cloth or sheet is in position on the table top.

A further and important object of this invention is to provide a table especially designed for the playing of cards with a fabric sheet removably secured in position on the playing surface of the table top and wherein the table top embodies a structure including a central top board or section and a removable marginal rim, the fabric sheet being removably retained in a stretched and taut condition over the center section of the top by means of inter-fitting elements formed on the underside of the marginal rim and the upper side of the adjacent underlying portion of the center section.

With the above and other objects in view that Willbecome apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a table construct ed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the table in set up condition showingthe folding legs Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the table in folded condition;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the table with the rim illustrated by dotted lines and illustrat ing the rib receiving grooves in the upper side of the side ledges; V

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the rim showing the ribs depending from the top flanges at the sides of the rim;

Figure 6 is a side edge elevational view of the table in folded condition;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 7'? of Fig. 1 and showing the interfitting connection between the underside of the rim flange and the upper side of the table top ledge for retaining fabric covering in a stretched and taut condition;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional View, similar to Figure 7 but with the rim partially removed from the central portion of the table top and illustrating the initial placement of the removable table top covering I Figure 9 is a top plan view of another form of table top wherein the groove in the ledge extends unbroken through the corners of the top; and

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the rim for use with the form of invention shown in Figure 9 wherein the depending rib carried by the flange is continuous and unbroken.

Briefly described, the present invention relates to a table of the type usually employed for the playing of bridge or other card games and particularly to the construction of the top portion thereof. The table may be of any desired curved or polygonal form in plan view, but for the purposes of this invention, the same is illustrated as having a rectangular top. There is provided a central table top portion of a rigid character provided with supporting legs that may be collapsible or foldable as illustrated with a marginal rim removably supported on a depressed or lowered ledge portion at the outer edge of the center section to present the upper sides of the center portion of the table and the rim flange in the same plane. It is intended to provide a removable fabric or like covering for the rigid center section of the table top and to employ for such coverings waste scraps of material or remnants of a size to extend over the table top with the edges of the fabric covering confined between the depressed portions of ledges at the outer edges of the center section ofthe table top and the rim flange, such edges of the fabric covering being lockingly retained by means of intei'fitting means on the underside of the rim flange and the upper face of the depressed portion or ledge. With a construction of this character the fabric covering is retained in a stretched and taut condition over the center rigid section of the table top while the interfitting connections between the rim flange and the ledge prevent slippage of the fabric covering. It is unnecessary to cut the fabric coverings to exact sizes for the table top as the cut or ragged edges of the fabric covering will be confined between the table top ledge and rim to be hidden from view, but of course, the edge of the fabric sheet should be disposed outwardly of the interfitting connection between the ledge and rim flange.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a table, the construction thereof being capable of modifications with the exception of the inventive features, which of course are to be limited only by the character of the claims, comprising a rigid center portion having a flat top section 15 resting at its marginal edge on a flller strip 16 that in turn is mounted upon lower bar ledges 17 that project outwardly of the top section 15 and flller strips 16. Side rails 18 depend from the lower sides of the outer edges of the ledges 17, the foregoing arrangement constituting a rigid center top section of the table and if desired, all of said parts may be formed of a unitary structure, such as by a metal pressing or drawing operation, but illustrated as formed of connected wooden elements.

A removable marginal rim 19 is mounted upon the outwardly projecting side edges of the ledges 17 and include right angularly extending flanges 20 and 21, the flange 20 resting upon the upper side of the ledge 17 and being horizontally disposed, while the vertical flange 21 of the rim l9 depends from the flange 20 and overlies the outer edges or sides of the ledge 1'7 and side rails 18 as shown in Figure '7. The flange 29 engaged with the upper side of the ledge 1'7 is of a thickness substantially equalling the combined thicknesses of the top section 15 and the filler strip 16 so that the upper surfaces of the flange 20 and top 15 substantially lie in the same plane to present a smooth and uninterrupted table top extending over the top section 15 and the flange 20 of the rim 19.

The rim 19 is removably mounted upon the ledge 17 to permit the positioning of a fabric or other sheet covering 22 upon the top section 15 of the center portion of the table and as shown in Figure '7 the outer edge of the covering 22 extends between the inner faces of the flanges 20 and 21 of the rim 19 and the outer faces of the ledge 17 and rails 18. To retain the covering 22 in a stretched and taut condition over the top section 15, there is provided an in-- terfitting connection between the underside of the flange 2D and the upper side of the ledge 1?, this connection (as shown more clearly in Figures 7 and 8) comprising a depending rib 23 carried by the underside of the rim flange 20 and secured to the rim flange as at 24 and terminating at its ends in spaced relation to the corners of the rectangular rim 19. A longitudinally extending depression or groove 25 is formed in the upper side of the ledge 17, terminating at its ends in spaced relation to the corners of the rectangular ledge to receive the rib 23.

In placing the fabric or other covering 22 upon the table top, the same is positioned as shown in Figure 8 with the rim 19 removed, a portion 22a of the covering 22 extending over and above the ledge 17 and groove 25 and further extending downwardly as at 22?) outwardly of the outer edge or end of the ledge 17 and the rail 18. When the rim 19 is lowered onto the ledge into the position shown in Figure 7, the portion 22a of the covering 22 is engaged by the rib 23 to be moved into the groove 25 as well as being posi" noen7s3 tioned between the lower face of the flange 20 and upper face of the ledge 17 and the inner end of the flange 20 and the outer ends of the top section 15 and filler strip. The portion 22b of the covering remains between the inner face of the vertical flange 21 of the rim and the outer ends of the ledge 1'7 and rail 18, a part of this portion of the covering being moved into the space between the flange 20 and ledge 17 to compensate for movement of the covering material by the rib 23 into the groove 25. During assembly of the rim 19 upon the ledge 17, the covering 22 overlying the top section 15 is stretched into a taut condition and is so maintained by the interfltting connection between the rim and ledge comprising the rib 23 and groove 25. The rim 19 is frictionally retained in position against accidental displacement and acts to retain the covering in a taut condition. The fabric or other coverings 22 are readily interchangeable and it is possible to use waste material or remnants as covering sheets, it being unnecessary to cut the covering sheet to any exact dimension, other than to allow for an initial cover-all area as shown in Figure 8.

Any form of supporting legs for the table may be provided, the folding type being herein disclosed as attached to the rigid center portion of the table and including the legs 25 hinged as at 2'7 to side rails 18 by means of angle straps 28 and braced in the usual manner by the hinged links 29 extending between the legs 26 and the side rails. The supporting legs are attached to the rigid center portion of the table which permits ready removal of the rim section 19 for the replacement of coverings when desired.

The table has been described as being of rectangular form while the cooperating ribs and grooves 23 and 25 carried by the rim 19 and ledge 17 have been located at each side of the table and terminating inwardly of the ends thereof, but if desired, the rib 23a depending from the flange 29a of the rim 1911 may extend as continuous and unbroken over the corners of the rim as shown in Figure 9 while the groove 25a in the ledge 17a -1 as shown in Figure 10 may extend in a continuous and unbroken fashion through the corners of the ledge, thereby providing an interfltting connection between the underside of the rim flange and the upper side of the ledge 17 over the entire contacting surfaces of said elements.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparent and while there are herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:-

1. In a table of the type described, a center top portion having a marginal ledge, a removable rim having a flange overlying the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, ribs depending from the underside of the rim flange and the upper sides of the ledges having grooves therein to receive the ribs and adjacent portions of the cover to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition, and a second flange on the rim overlying the outer edge of the ledge and confining the edge of the cover.

2. In a table of the type described, a center top portion having a marginal ledge, a removable rim having a flange overlying the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, ribs '15 depending from the underside of the rim flange and the upper sides of the ledges having grooves therein to receive the ribs and adjacent portions of the cover to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition, and said cooperating ribs and grooves extending uninterruptedly around the rim flange and ledge, and a second flange on the rim overlying the outer edge of the ledge and confining the edge of the cover.

3. In a table of the type described, a center top portion having a marginal ledge, a removable rim having a flange overlying the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, ribs depending from the underside of the rim flange and the upper sides of the ledges having grooves therein to receive the ribs and adjacent portions of the cover to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition, and said cooperating ribs and groove being located at each side of the table, and a second flange on the rim overlying the outer edge of the ledge and confining the edge of the cover.

4. In a table of the type described, a center top portion, a marginal ledge projecting outwardly thereof and in a plane below the top portion, a rim of right angle formation removably mounted on the ledge and including a horizontal flange overlying the ledge and a vertical flange inclosing the outer edge of the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, and interfitting means formed on the underside of the horizontal flange and on the upper side of the ledge to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition on the table top.

5. In a table of the type described, a center top portion, a marginal ledge projecting outwardly thereof and in a plane below the top portion, a rim of right angle formation removably mounted on the ledge and including a horizontal flange overlying the ledge and a vertical flange inclosing the outer edge of the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, ribs depending from the horizontal flange and grooves formed in the upper side of the ledge to receive the ribs for holding the cover in a stretched and taut condition on the table top.

6. In a table of the type described, a center top portion, a marginal ledge projecting outwardly thereof and in a plane below the top portion, a rim of right angle formation removably mounted on the ledge and including a horizontal flange overlying the ledge and a vertical flange inclosing the outer edge of the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge and interfitting means formed on the underside of the horizontal flange and on the upper side of the ledge to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition on the table top, and said interfltting means being arranged at each side of the table.

"I. In a table of the type described, a center top portion, a marginal ledge projecting outwardly thereof and in a plane below the top portion, a rim of right angle formation removably mounted on the ledge and including a horizontal flange overlying the ledge and a vertical flange inclosing the outer edge of the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge, and interfitting means formed on the underside of the horizontal flange and on the upper side of the ledge to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition on the table top, and said interfitting means continuing uninterruptedly around the horizontal flange and ledge.

8. In a table of the character described, a center top portion, a marginal ledge projecting outwardly thereof and in a plane below the top portion, a rim of right angle formation removably mounted on the ledge and including a horizontal flange overlying the ledge and a vertical flange enclosing the outer side of the ledge, a cover for the top portion extending over the ledge and interfitting means formed on opposed faces of the rim and ledge to hold the cover in a stretched and taut condition on the table top.

ALBERT J. BENCHOFF. 

